Thanks Amanda for introducing the gender dimension in this discussion on rights based approach. Answering some of your questions is below an excerpt of a longer piece recently posted on CPWF blog, 'Facilitating women's participation and impact in Colombia', written by Carmen Candelo Reina of WWF-Colombia and CPWF Andes 3.
‘Liberating the voices’ of women
In the case of the Coello watershed, promotion of a citizen call to action empowered women. Through enhanced recognition of their rights, women were able to “liberate their voice”, which led to a transformation of the state-community relationship in the form of increased social accountability and transparency.
Women, particularly those from rural areas, are generally discriminated against in the area of institutional management. They have found in legal rules, however, support for their statements and demands. The grounds for this social change is based on rights prescribed under the Colombian legal framework. Since 1991 it has allowed citizens to actively participate in the planning, following-up, surveillance and control of public management results. This reduces power asymmetries and, therefore, promotes a better exchange between community and state.
Organizing to demand change
But this type of change requires capacity and social organization, as the women’s group of Hato de Virgen micro-basin has shown. Women have formed citizen oversight groups through which they have achieved important investments for planning, management and inter-institutional participation. The effectiveness of citizen participation has promoted institutional accountability and moved the discussion from words to actions.
Testimonies and experience show that gender equity is key to improving socio-economic conditions, as well as environmental and cultural polices by strengthening democracy and promoting effective governance.
Thanks Amanda for introducing the gender dimension in this discussion on rights based approach. Answering some of your questions is below an excerpt of a longer piece recently posted on CPWF blog, 'Facilitating women's participation and impact in Colombia', written by Carmen Candelo Reina of WWF-Colombia and CPWF Andes 3.
‘Liberating the voices’ of women
In the case of the Coello watershed, promotion of a citizen call to action empowered women. Through enhanced recognition of their rights, women were able to “liberate their voice”, which led to a transformation of the state-community relationship in the form of increased social accountability and transparency.
Women, particularly those from rural areas, are generally discriminated against in the area of institutional management. They have found in legal rules, however, support for their statements and demands. The grounds for this social change is based on rights prescribed under the Colombian legal framework. Since 1991 it has allowed citizens to actively participate in the planning, following-up, surveillance and control of public management results. This reduces power asymmetries and, therefore, promotes a better exchange between community and state.
Organizing to demand change
But this type of change requires capacity and social organization, as the women’s group of Hato de Virgen micro-basin has shown. Women have formed citizen oversight groups through which they have achieved important investments for planning, management and inter-institutional participation. The effectiveness of citizen participation has promoted institutional accountability and moved the discussion from words to actions.
Testimonies and experience show that gender equity is key to improving socio-economic conditions, as well as environmental and cultural polices by strengthening democracy and promoting effective governance.